In spite of the very unfavorable season this year, annuals were really beautiful. Those planted right in the garden soil got a late start and did not bloom as early as they should. Self-sown seed did very well. I saw, a bed of mixed calendulas which left little to be desired in beauty. In every garden I looked at, there was something to admire, but I will have to admit that as much as I enjoy the flowers our new electric lawn mower has me just as excited.
Petunia Fire Chief was the real red we like so well because of its vividness. Bells of Ireland always self-sow for me so I am never without that strange little flower. A mixed package of seed sent as a gift from a seed firm yielded some real surprises. These were sown in a row, not too close together. The value of such a package is that often it results in an order for some of the favorites the next season. It was a good year for poppies too, and pansises.
Always a lover of the colorful stocks, I ordered mixed colors of the Giant Imperial, also Beauty of Nice. These I started in the house. They bloom right up to a severe frost, and are very fragrant. The doubles are the most beautiful, but 1 am told they do not set seed, and as the singles do, they are a necessity The young plants must not be hurried outside, as they should have eight leaves before being transplanted. I also started some giant-flowered verbenas in the house, using a mixted pack- age of seed. These made a good border for edging a perennial bed of taller flowers Scarlet Sage or Salvi splendens was also started, and while it germinated very poorly, there were enough plants to give vivd spots of color in fall. One other annual I must mention was the latana. I planted it inside very early and it was so slow coming up that I nearly despaired of it, but eventually every seed came through. As it was too late to give much bloom, I potted it up for a winter house plant which I intend to set out in the spring.
Those who tried the Tithonia, Tourch the Mexican Sunflower, were not disappointed in it, I am sure. This I also started inside. It is bushy, is a nice height and is covered with firey orange- red blooms with a velvety texture. A attracts the eye at a glance.
Back to Eden furnished me with some home grown seeds of balsam. All of thsee were lovely, but a double white one surpassed them all. It looked in its purity like a double tuberous begonia. We used to call these “touch-me-nots” as the seed pods pop open so readily.
Next year try to have something new in the way of annuals. They need only be new to you to pep up your interest in your garden.